Finding the Green within the Grey

About Nancy

I used to ride the playground ponies — painted metal creature swings behind my childhood home — and dream of a book with my name on it: Nancy Schatz. Years later, I walked that same playground and young girl asked me my age. Maybe I was 19. Shocked, she asked if I was married. Nope, not yet, I laughed in reply.

Now I’m married and my body’s pretty close to being 50 years old. My first dream came true with one minor adjustment. The name on the cover of those books is “Nancy Schatz Alton.” I think it took writing these two holistic healthcare guides — The Healthy Back Book and The Healthy Knees Book — to believe I really am a writer. But I’ve been a writer before I could pencil the alphabet on the itchy lined paper in Kindergarten. It’s just who I am.

I wear many other definitions. I’m lucky enough to be a mom to a teenager and a tween. I’m a freelance writer, editor and writing teacher and coach, too. I’m a baker and a short-order cook, an off-key singer and car dancer. I’m a former long distance runner, an avid reader and a lover of color. I’m also a spy, because writers are spies, right?

This blog was born a few years ago when I finally got tired of denying myself the privilege of having a blog. I love sharing my words, and if these thoughts can help someone else, even better. As this blog has evolved, some of what I have written is part of a memoir manuscript entitled “But Still and Yet: Navigating the Learning Differences World with My Daughter.” That’s the tale of being and becoming a mother. No, it’s not the story of my first child’s birth and how I stepped into this new role, although there are many fine books about this very topic. This memoir is about learning to embrace the idea that life doesn’t always get to be easy for our offspring. If you aren’t a parent, the journey I take is the same journey all humans take during this lifetime. This memoir answers this question: how do we crack ourselves open to become our best possible selves?

Boom. Enjoy my blog. Say hello via a comment if you have can. And Welcome to Within The Words, Finding the Green within the Grey,.

12 thoughts on “About Nancy”

Hi Nancy-
I just read your stories on ParentMap about getting your daughter tested. I am interested in the program but don’t see how to connect with them. Can I ask how did you? Please email me off-line.

Hi Nancy,
I thought I might try getting in touch with you this way… I’m not really sure how to go about this.

You wrote a fabulous article for Parent Map about outdoor preschools a couple years ago – it is very active on Google for any outdoor/farm/preschool searches in Seattle. Nice work!

I started a school in north Seattle 5 years ago (one of those years I was teaching at Seattle Waldorf School) called ‘Little Farm Preschool’. It combines my passion for getting children engaged with the outdoors, animals, food production (familiarity), nature and quite simply the awesome wonder of nature.

My core belief: The basic principle of learning is that “everything we will ever learn will come through our senses” – at Little Farm Preschool I am working to create an environment to support healthy sensory development, which is age appropriate. A strong healthy body and sense development will support cognitive development as children grow and mature.

Everything happens in ‘the beginning’.

As I mentioned, I’m in my fifth year of development as a school. I have a full roster and waiting list – even though I’m a ‘secret’ in north Seattle. I’d like help letting more Seattle families know about what I’m doing here at Little Farm! I’m scheduled as the #1 tour site for the Seattle Tilth urban farm and coop tour July 11th this year. I’ve not had any articles written about my school yet, so I’m reaching out to writers I can find that may have an interest in what I’m up to. I’m hoping you might be one? I’m ready to let people know about Little Farm.

Basics:
We’re outside for 2+ hours every morning
We have 3 goats – one is due to have ‘kids’ next Wednesday, the other is due July 17th
We also have 5 ducks, some chickens and 2 bunnies
There is a large vegetable and fruit garden. Several fruit trees
We are a Waldorf ‘inspired’ preschool
12- 14 children attend with 2-3 teachers/assistant
Outdoor space includes:
A working hand pump (pumps up ground water)
large sand box – 8 tons of sand
Mud pit (see my FaceBook page video)
Swing/slide/play structure
‘Real’ barn with hay loft
‘Little Forest’ play area in the woods
and more….

My website is embarrassing… I really need help to upgrade it. It has my basic information though.

If you’re not interested, or too busy, do you know of any writers that might be interested in what I’m doing? Are there any articles in the works about ‘Farm Preschools’, ‘Animals and Preschoolers’, ‘Farm, Food and our Children’ that I could be included in?

I’ve just read your article about dos and don’ts for parents of new cell phone users on ParentMap. Wonderful one! Thanks!

I got an idea that you might be interested in writing one more article about “kids and cell phones”. I believe it would be useful to give your audience an insight into raising thoughtful Digital Citizens.

I just read an article in Parent Map about bilingual children.My child was in a French school for two years but now he’s in public school in the Ballard area. Are you bilingual and speak French to your children? I know there is a French school in Phinney, and the Alliance, but I’m looking for something less formal for my child to continue his language learning. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hi Nancy,
I am a seattle mom interested in educating myself more about learning disabilities. Your blog is a beautiful earnest read for anyone interested in this subject. May I connect with you via email? I would love to be able to share a little more about what we do with you.
Thank you
Savitha

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Nancy Schatz Alton

I used to ride the playground ponies — painted metal creature swings behind my childhood home — and dream of a book with my name on it: Nancy Schatz. Years later, I walked that same playground and young girl asked me my age. Maybe I was 19. Shocked, she asked if I was married. Nope, not yet, I laughed in reply.

Now I’m married and my body’s pretty close to being 50 years old. My first dream came true with one minor adjustment. The name on the cover of those books is “Nancy Schatz Alton.” I think it took writing these two holistic healthcare guides — The Healthy Back Book and The Healthy Knees Book — to believe I really am a writer. But I’ve been a writer before I could pencil the alphabet on the itchy lined paper in Kindergarten. It’s just who I am.

I wear many other definitions. I’m lucky enough to be a mom to a teenager and a tween. I’m a freelance writer, editor and writing teacher and coach, too. I’m a baker and a short-order cook, an off-key singer and car dancer. I’m a former long distance runner, an avid reader and a lover of color. I’m also a spy, because writers are spies, right?

This blog was born a few years ago when I finally got tired of denying myself the privilege of having a blog. I love sharing my words, and if these thoughts can help someone else, even better. As this blog has evolved, some of what I have written is part of a memoir manuscript entitled “But Still and Yet: Navigating the Learning Differences World with My Daughter.” That’s the tale of being and becoming a mother. No, it’s not the story of my first child’s birth and how I stepped into this new role, although there are many fine books about this very topic. This memoir is about learning to embrace the idea that life doesn’t always get to be easy for our offspring. If you aren’t a parent, the journey I take is the same journey all humans take during this lifetime. This memoir answers this question: how do we crack ourselves open to become our best possible selves?

Boom. Enjoy my blog. Say hello via a comment if you have can. And Welcome to Within The Words, Finding the Green within the Grey,.

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